Mishriff set for Ascot as nine stand ground for star-studded King George

Globetrotter Mishriff is to have just his second outing over a mile and a half in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday after connections decided against an alternative option at York on the same day.

The four-year-old was in need of his first outing since March when third in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown this month and features among nine star-studded confirmations for the weekend's showpiece event.

Mishriff, a 15-2 chance with Coral to land his first domestic Group 1, had previously racked up lucrative victories in the Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic at the beginning of the year, the last-named over a mile and a half.

Connections had also been considering keeping the son of Make Believe to a mile and a quarter and tackling the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes at York, but have decided the prospect of giving a stone away to three-year-olds on the Knavesmire is a stiff challenge.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes card and betting

After watching Mishriff canter on Warren Hill on Monday morning, joint-trainer John Gosden said: "All being well, Mishriff is to run in the King George rather than York where we thought the prospect of carrying a Group 1 penalty was a stiff ask.

"It looks a good renewal of the Ascot race with the top older horses in there as well as the Derby winner, it should make for a fascinating feature."

The King George has gone the way of Clarehaven Stables five times in the past decade, most recently when Enable registered a record third triumph a year ago.

Love: heads the betting for Saturday's King GeorgeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Mishriff could face eight rivals in what is gearing up to be a high-class clash of the generations, with last year's 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner Love – successful in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the royal meeting last month – and Cazoo Derby hero Adayar among the final confirmations.

Love's trainer Aidan O'Brien could also be represented by Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Broome, Mogul and Japan, while Hardwicke Stakes heroine Wonderful Tonight and Addeyyb are also in contention.

Love heads the betting with Coral at 6-4 ahead of Adayar at 15-8, with Irish Derby second Lone Eagle – who is set to be ridden by Frankie Dettori – a 9-2 chance ahead of Mishriff.

The ground at Ascot on Monday was good to firm, good in places, with watering taking place. Dry and warm weather is forecast until Friday evening when thunderstorms could arrive.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes

Coral: 6-4 Love, 15-8 Adayar, 9-2 Lone Eagle, 15-2 Mishriff, 10 Wonderful Tonight, 14 Broome, 33 Addeybb, Mogul, 40 Japan

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes confirmations

Adayar
Addeybb
Broome
Japan
Lone EagleFrankie Dettori
Love
MishriffDavid Egan
Mogul
Wonderful Tonight

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